This backpacking trip is designed for teens 14 to 17 years of age that have attended our Otter backpacking trip or with mid-level experience. Deer trips bridge the gap between our introductory and advanced trips. Teens have the opportunity to hone backpacking abilities as they learn from instructions and share their skills with peers, all while deepening personal connection with nature in the beautiful Appalachian mountains.

Take your nature connection to the next level! Explore remote areas. Build your survival skills. Piedmont Wildlife Center offers many opportunities to get away and discover the wilderness around us. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a curious newcomer, we’ve got the program for you!

Transportation will be provided for all campers from Leigh Farm Park in Durham, NC.

Ages: 14-17

Price: $600

Location: Roan Mountain Highlands, TN

Mileage: 7-12 miles

Orientation Date: TBD

You stand on the threshold between being a camper and being a counselor. You have the power to shape your own adventure and guide those who are taking their first steps into nature. Hone your outdoor skills and learn to become a community leader!

All teens must attend this program before being a Counselor in Training (CIT). Participants need to attend the TOL program and then be approved by our staff to graduate on to CIT Level 1. Most of our participants do graduate but we want to make sure each person is ready to be a CIT.

Teen Outdoor Leadership is only offered during the summer season.

Ages 13-17

Price: $390

Location: Leigh Farm Park (370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707)

This is an advanced-level backpacking trip designed for older teens with backpacking experience. the hiking is strenuous with elevation and 4 to 6 miles a day. A central part of this experience is that we will work on building a community in which we can share stories and deep nature connections. There will be an option to do a solo overnight.

Take your nature connection to the next level! Explore remote areas. Build your survival skills. Piedmont Wildlife Center offers many opportunities to get away and discover the wilderness around us. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a curious newcomer, we’ve got the program for you!

Transportation will be provided for all campers from Leigh Farm Park in Durham, NC.

Ages: 15-17

Price: $720

Location: Roan Mountain Highlands, TN

Mileage: 16-19 miles

Orientation Date: TBD

You stand on the threshold between being a camper and being a counselor. You have the power to shape your own adventure and guide those who are taking their first steps into nature. Hone your outdoor skills and learn to become a community leader!

All teens must attend this program before being a Counselor in Training (CIT). Participants need to attend the TOL program and then be approved by our staff to graduate on to CIT Level 1. Most of our participants do graduate but we want to make sure each person is ready to be a CIT.

Teen Outdoor Leadership is only offered during the summer season.

NOTE: This is a four-day camp. To honor Juneteenth, camp will not meet on Wednesday, June 19th.

Ages 13-17

Price: $311

Location: Blackwood Farm Park (4215 NC 86 S, Chapel Hill, NC 27516)

You stand on the threshold between being a camper and being a counselor. You have the power to shape your own adventure and guide those who are taking their first steps into nature. Hone your outdoor skills and learn to become a community leader!

All teens must attend this program before being a Counselor in Training (CIT). Participants need to attend the TOL program and then be approved by our staff to graduate on to CIT Level 1. Most of our participants do graduate but we want to make sure each person is ready to be a CIT.

Teen Outdoor Leadership is only offered during the summer season.

Ages 13-17

Price: $390

Location: Umstead State Park - Crabtree Creek Entrance (8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617)

Join us for an exciting three-day introductory adventure to explore the wonders of and challenges facing a mountain stream ecosystem! On this trip, we will travel to the Wilson Creek Wilderness Area near Marion, NC, where we will combine fly fishing activities with stream awareness and volunteer conservation activities to plant a seed for lifelong stewardship of nature. During this adventure, campers will learn about aquatic ecology and biodiversity with a biology professor from ASU; stream-side discovery and identification of aquatic insects; fly tying to imitate those aquatic insects; and, fly fishing with the guidance of adult fly fishers.

In partnership with with A Clean Wilson Creek (ACWC), we will introduce these young people to not only the challenges facing the Wilson Creek watershed but also the power of community involvement and volunteerism. ACWC will lead a session on conservation and the specific challenges of Wilson Creek. The campers will be volunteer helpers with stream cleanup or another ACWC-led project. We plan to further support the Wilson Creek community by having some meals catered by Coffey’s General Store.

Transportation will be provided for all campers from Leigh Farm Park in Durham, NC.

Ages: 12-15

Price: $400

Location: Wilson Creek, NC

Orientation Date: TBD

You stand on the threshold between being a camper and being a counselor. You have the power to shape your own adventure and guide those who are taking their first steps into nature. Hone your outdoor skills and learn to become a community leader!

All teens must attend this program before being a Counselor in Training (CIT). Participants need to attend the TOL program and then be approved by our staff to graduate on to CIT Level 1. Most of our participants do graduate but we want to make sure each person is ready to be a CIT.

Teen Outdoor Leadership is only offered during the summer season.

Ages 13-17

Price: $390

Location: Leigh Farm Park (370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707)

Join us for an exciting week-long introductory adventure of wilderness living! As we travel down the beautiful trails of Wilson Creek Wilderness Area, we will explore the rock outcroppings and trout-filled mountain streams. Campers will increase their wilderness knowledge, and develop confidence and new friendships.

Take your nature connection to the next level! Explore remote areas. Build your survival skills. Piedmont Wildlife Center offers many opportunities to get away and discover the wilderness around us. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a curious newcomer, we’ve got the program for you!

Transportation will be provided for all campers from Leigh Farm Park in Durham, NC.

Ages: 11-14

Price: $600

Location: Wilson Creek, NC

Mileage: 4-5 miles

Orientation Date: TBD

This is an introduction to backpacking for older teens who want to improve their wilderness skills as they gain more backpacking experience. This can be a perfect next step for those who have participated in our original Otter trip or those who want to hike a couple more miles for the week.

Take your nature connection to the next level! Explore remote areas. Build your survival skills. Piedmont Wildlife Center offers many opportunities to get away and discover the wilderness around us. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a curious newcomer, we’ve got the program for you!

Transportation will be provided for all campers from Leigh Farm Park in Durham, NC.

Ages: 15-17

Price: $600

Location: Wilson Creek, NC

Mileage: 6-7 miles

Orientation Date: TBD

Saw, shave, bend, and string. Learn the ins and outs of longbow archery while building your own bow from sapling to bowstring. You’ll develop hand tool skills during construction, and hone your focus and accuracy during target-shooting at the end of the week. Upon completion of their bows, campers will receive a series of challenges to prove their archery skill. This unique experience taught by our skilled staff is truly one of a kind!

Ages 13-17

Price: $390

Location: Blackwood Farm Park (4215 NC 86 S, Chapel Hill, NC 27516)

Rain patters in the canopy above as the sun starts the set. Your stomach grumbles as you look down at your pile of kindling. You have already built your shelter, but can you start a fire? This camp is for motivated teens ready to take the next step in survival skills. Find food and water. Start a fire without matches. Navigate without a map. Learn how to hew wood, work stone, lash rope and harness your own strength. Hone the skills that allow you to be truly close to nature. Go beyond the edge for a lifetime of wilderness connection!

Ages 13-17

Price: $390

Location: Leigh Farm Park (370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707)